Projection display having improved light shielding bodies for adjusting the amount of light applied to a light valve therein

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a projection display that achieves continuous light amount control with ease and without causing unevenness of illumination of light applied to a light valve responsive to a video signal, thereby allowing constant image display with satisfactory contrast. The projection display of the invention includes a light valve ( 2 ); a light source ( 3   a ) generating light applied to the light valve ( 2 ); an integrator lens ( 4 ) provided on an optical path between the light source ( 3   a ) and the light valve ( 2 ) and making uniform the illumination distribution of light applied from the light source ( 3   a ) to the light valve ( 2 ); and a light amount control system ( 9 ) provided on the optical path and including a turning mechanism ( 9   a ) which turns like a set of double doors in order to adjust the amount of light applied from the light source ( 3   a ) to the light valve ( 2 ). The turning mechanism ( 9   a ) is bent into a V shape in a direction to reduce the amount of light (to block the light).

This application is a Divisional of U.S. application No. 12/153,352 filed on May 16, 2008 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,052,285, which claims priority to foreign application No. JP 2007-149366 filed in Japan, on Jun. 5, 2007 and foreign application No. JP 2008-032978 filed in Japan, on Feb. 14, 2008. The entire contents of all of the above applications is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a projection display with a light-amount control mechanism for adjusting the amount of light applied to a light valve responsive to a video signal.

2. Description of the Background Art

A projection display is apt to have difficulty in ensuring high contrast because dark projected images displayed are not sufficiently dark due to leakage of light from various optical elements in an optical system such as a guide optical system and a projection lens and due to stray light (unnecessary light) caused by the optical elements. In particular for image projection on a screen in a dark room, insufficient darkness of dark projected images on display gives to a viewer the impression of low contrast. Especially in projection displays using liquid crystal light valves, although the liquid crystal light valves block transmitted light in response to the polarization property of light, complete blocking of transmitted light is difficult and there is also a limit in counteractive actions taken by video signal processing so that an improvement in contrast is required.

As a measure to solve this problem, a flat light shielding plate is provided between first and second lens arrays and is turned in response to a video signal to control the amount of light applied to a light valve and thereby to improve the contrast of a projected image on a screen or the like (for example, see WO2005/026835).

In WO2005/026835, in the case where the light shielding plate has at its tip a rectangular plane in a direction vertical to the light shielding plate, if the tip of the light shielding plate is in the vicinity of the first lens array and in a position of the center of the curvature of the second lens array in the turning direction of the light shielding plate, the rectangular plane of the light shielding plate is imaged onto a light valve. This undesirably causes linear unevenness of illumination on the light valve in a direction perpendicular to the turning direction and the optical axis direction. Besides, it is difficult to provide satisfactory contrast depending on the shape of the tip of the light shielding plate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a projection display that achieves continuous light amount control with ease and without causing unevenness of illumination of light applied to a light valve responsive to a video signal, thereby allowing constant image display with satisfactory contrast.

A projection display according to the invention includes a light valve; a light source generating light applied to the light valve; an integrator lens provided on an optical path between the light source and the light valve and making uniform an illumination distribution of light applied from the light source to the light valve; and a light-amount control mechanism provided on the optical path and including a pair of light shielding bodies that turn like a double door in order to adjust the amount of light applied from the light source to the light valve. The light shielding bodies are bent into a V shape in a direction so as to reduce the amount of light during their turning.

Since the light shielding bodies are bent into a V shape in a direction to reduce the amount of light during their turning, continuous light amount control can be achieved with ease and without causing unevenness of illumination of light applied to the light valve responsive to a video signal. This allows constant image display with satisfactory contrast.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an illumination optical system in a projection display according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a polarization conversion element according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B show examples of the shapes of a turning mechanism according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B show the turning of the turning mechanism according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the turning angle and the relative percentage of the amount of light in the cases where the turning mechanism is in the shapes of FIGS. 3A and 3B according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 6A and 6B show the z-direction position of the tip of the turning mechanism when the relative percentage of the amount of light is 20% according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 shows an illumination distribution of light applied to a light valve when the turning mechanism in the shape of FIG. 3B provides complete light blocking according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 shows the relationship between the turning angle and the relative percentage of the amount of light in the case where light shielding bodies have no cut according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 shows light source images in the vicinity of a second lens array according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 shows an example of the shape of the turning mechanism according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 shows the relationship between the turning angle and the relative percentage of the amount of light in the case where the turning mechanism is in the shape of FIG. 10 according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 shows the path of light with respect to the shape of the turning mechanism according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 13A and 13B show the paths of light when the turning mechanism has a smaller dimension than the lens arrays according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 shows the paths of light when reverse ray tracing is performed from the center of the light valve according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 15A and 15B show the turning position of the turning mechanism when imaged on the light valve according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 16A and 16B show the turning position of the turning mechanism when imaged on the light valve according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 17A and 17B show illumination distributions of light applied to the light valve according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 18 shows an illumination distribution of light applied to the light valve according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 19 shows the relative percentage of the amount of light on y axes of FIGS. 17A, 17B, and 18 according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of an illumination optical system in a projection display according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 21A and 21B show the turning position of the turning mechanism when imaged on the light valve according to the second preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 22A and 22B show the turning position of the turning mechanism when imaged on the light valve according to the second preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 23A and 23B show illumination distributions of light applied to the light valve according to the second preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 24 shows the relative percentage of the amount of light on y axes of FIGS. 23A and 23B according to the second preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 25A and 25B show the shape of the tip of the turning mechanism according to the second preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 26 is a block diagram of an illumination optical system in a projection display according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 27 shows the paths of light incident on the light valve according to the third preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 28A and 28B show the paths of light passing through the second lens array and the polarization conversion element according to the third preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 29 shows the relationship between the contrast and the angle of incidence of light applied to the light valve according to the third preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 30 shows an example of the shape of the turning mechanism according to the third preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 31 shows the amount of light passing through each cell in the second lens array 4 b according to the third preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 32 shows the paths of light emitted from a light source 3 according to the third preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 33 shows an illumination distribution of light applied to the light valve according to the third preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 34 shows an example of the shape of the turning mechanism according to the third preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 35 shows the relationship between the turning angle and the relative percentage of the amount of light in the case where the turning mechanism is in the shape of FIG. 30 according to the third preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 36 shows an example of the shape of the turning mechanism according to the third preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 37 shows the relationship between the turning angle and the relative percentage of the amount of light in the case where the turning mechanism is in the shape of FIG. 35 according to the third preferred embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 38 shows an example of the shape of the turning mechanism according to the third preferred embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings.

<First Preferred Embodiment>

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an illumination optical system 1 in a projection display according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the illumination optical system 1 includes an integrator lens 4 between a light source system 3 and a light valve 2, a polarization conversion element 5, a condensing lens 6, a field lens 7, and a polarizing plate 8. The projection display according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention further includes a projection lens (not shown) for projecting light emitted from the light valve 2 onto a screen. The light valve 2 is provided on each of the optical paths of R, G, and B, and the illumination optical system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a representative example of any one of those optical paths of R, G, and B.

The light valve 2 according to the preferred embodiments of the invention is a liquid crystal light valve, but in the case of using lens arrays, it may be other display devices such as a digital micro-mirror device (DMD) and a reflection liquid crystal display device.

The light source system 3 is configured to apply light to the light valve 2 and includes a light source 3 a and a reflecting mirror 3 b that reflects light emitted from the light source 3 a to irradiate the integrator lens 4. The light source 3 a is in general a high-pressure mercury lamp, a halogen lamp, or a xenon lamp, but it may be any other light-emitting devices such as a light emitting diode (LED), a laser, and an electrodeless discharge lamp. The reflecting mirror 3 b is formed in an elliptical plane or a parabolic plane, but it may be of any shape and any configuration and is not limited to those described as long as light can be concentrated on the polarization conversion element 5. For example, in order to make incident light on the integrator lens 4 approximately parallel to an optical axis C, the reflecting mirror 3 b should be formed in the shape of a parabola; or if the reflecting mirror 3 b is formed in the shape of an ellipse, a concave lens should be provided between the light source system 3 and the integrator lens 4 (see FIG. 32).

The integrator lens 4 is provided on an optical path between the light source system 3 and the light valve 2 and is configured to make uniform the illumination distribution of light applied from the light source system 3 to the light valve 2. The integrator lens 4 includes a first lens array 4 a and a second lens array 4 b spaced apart from the first lens array 4 a. The first lens array 4 a and the second lens array 4 b each are an array of a plurality of convex lenses. The convex lenses in the first lens array 4 a and the convex lenses in the second lens array 4 b correspond to each other and are located to face each other.

The polarization conversion element 5 converts light beams incident on the polarization conversion element 5 into a single type of linearly polarized light and emits the linearly polarized light. It is provided with an appropriate space in the x-axis direction. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the polarization conversion element 5 according to the first preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the polarization conversion element 5 includes a plurality of polarization separation films 5 a inclined (e.g., 45 degrees) toward the direction of the optical axis C (the z direction); a plurality of reflection films 5 b provided between the polarization separation films 5 a and inclined (e.g., 45 degrees) toward the direction of the optical axis C (the z direction); and λ/2 phase-difference plates 5 c provided in a plane of the polarization conversion element 5 on the side of the light valve 2 and in positions where light passing through the polarization separation films 5 a are applied. Light incident on the polarization conversion element 5 is separated into s-polarized light and p-polarized light by the polarization separation films 5 a. The p-polarized light is transmitted through the polarization separation films 5 a, is converted into s-polarized light by the λ/2 phase-difference plates 5 c, and then is emitted from the polarization conversion element 5. On the other hand, the s-polarized light is reflected off the polarization separation films 5 a and off the reflection films 5 b and then is emitted from the polarization conversion element 5. Accordingly, the outgoing beams from the polarization conversion element 5 are almost all s-polarized light.

The light-amount control system 9 (light-amount control mechanism) is provided on the optical path and includes a turning mechanism 9 a which includes a pair of light shielding bodies that turn like a double door in order to adjust the amount of light applied from the light source system 3 to the light valve 2. The light-amount control system 9 includes the turning mechanism 9 a provided between the first lens array 4 a and the second lens array 4 b; a signal detector 9 b detecting a video signal fed to the light valve 2 and calculating, based on the result of detection, the relative percentage of the amount of light applied to the light valve 2; and a turning controller 9 c controlling the turning of the turning mechanism 9 a based on the relative percentage of the amount of light calculated by the signal detector 9 b. As shown in FIG. 3B, the turning mechanism 9 a includes light shielding bodies 9T and 9B that are bent into a V shape in a direction to reduce the amount of light (to block the light). The light shielding bodies 9T and 9B have at their tips cuts 9 g that regulate passage of light. The cuts 9 g may be of any shape such as a concave curve, a parabola, a semi-ellipse, and a triangle.

Next, description is given on improvement in contrast. When a video signal represents 100% of the relative percentage of the amount of light, control is performed based on 100% of the relative percentage of the amount of light with no light blocking by the turning mechanism 9 a. For example when a video signal represents 20% of the relative percentage of the amount of light, the turning mechanism 9 a blocks the light until the relative percentage of the amount of light becomes 20%, so that approximately a five-fold fine adjustment of the video signal is possible. By lowering the relative percentage of the amount of light by light blocking using the turning mechanism 9 a, darker black can be obtained as compared with the case where a video signal represents 0% of the relative percentage of the amount of light in which case no light blocking is provided. In other words, since the transmittance of the light valve 2 is approximately constant, reducing the amount of light applied to the light valve 2 using the turning mechanism 9 a makes it possible to darken a projected image on a screen, thereby achieving improvement in contrast.

FIG. 4A shows a 15-degree turning of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B of FIG. 3A, and FIG. 4B shows a 15-degree turning of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B of FIG. 3B. Referring to the amounts of travel of the tips of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B in the z direction, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the amount of travel Zb in FIG. 4B is smaller than the amount of travel Za in FIG. 4A (Za>Zb), from which it can be found that the amount of travel of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B in the y direction per turning angle is greater in FIG. 4B. Accordingly, the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B in the shape as shown in FIG. 4B can provide illumination with 100% of the relative percentage of the amount of light at a smaller turning angle.

FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the turning angle and the relative percentage of the amount of light in the cases where the turning mechanism 9 a is in the shapes of FIGS. 3A and 3B. The angles γT and γB in FIG. 3B shall be 20 degrees and the turning mechanism 9 a in both FIGS. 3A and 3B turns two degrees at a time. The turning angle of 0 degree refers to the condition that the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B are in completely closed positions, i.e., the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B are in the positions indicated by 41 a in FIGS. 4A and 41 b in FIG. 4B, respectively. The curve 50 shows the simulation result for the turning mechanism 9 a in the shape of FIG. 3A, and the curve 51 shows the simulation result for the turning mechanism 9 a in the shape of FIG. 3B. As shown in FIG. 5, the curve 51 starts to rise earlier than the curve 50 with a low relative percentage of the amount of light and reaches 100% of the relative percentage of the amount of light at the turning angle of approximately 75 degrees. Because of its narrower operating angle range, the shape of FIG. 3B allows highly responsive control as compared with the shape of FIG. 3A. It can also be seen from the curves 50 and 51 that, except where the relative percentage of the amount of light is low, the rate of change in the relative percentage of the amount of light with respect to the turning angle is approximately the same. From this, as will be described later with FIG. 14, in the case of a low relative percentage of the amount of light, unevenness of illumination can be reduced by bending the end portions of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B into a V shape in the direction of the radius of turning. It can also be seen from FIG. 5 that the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B each having the two cuts 9 g at the tip as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B allow continuous light amount control. While, in this preferred embodiment of the invention, the angles γT and γB are set to 20 degrees, they may be of any degree, and the same effect can be achieved without satisfying γT=γB . The relationship between the turning angle of the turning mechanism 9 a and the relative percentage of the amount of light on the light valve 2, shown in the preferred embodiment of the invention, is for the case where input is a signal representing 100% of the relative percentage of the amount of light, so that only the property of the turning mechanism 9 a is represented.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show the positions of the tips of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B in the z direction when the relative percentage of the amount of light is 20% in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 6A, the turning angle in the case of the shape of FIG. 3A is approximately 24 degrees, i.e., α1≈24, while the turning angle in the case of the shape of FIG. 3B is approximately 34 degrees, i.e., α2≈34. The angle α3 in FIG. 6B is equal to γT and shall be 20 degrees. Let d1 be the length of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B of FIG. 6A; d2 be the length of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B of FIG. 6B from the turning axis to their bend; and d3 be the length of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B of FIG. 6B from their bends to tips. Based on the conditions described above, the positions of the tips of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B in the shape of FIG. 3B in the z direction can be calculated.

From FIGS. 6A and 6B, the amounts of travel Zc and Zd of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B in the z direction can be expressed by the following equations (1) and (2), respectively.

$\begin{matrix} {{Zc} = {{d\; 1 \times {\sin\left( {\alpha\; 1} \right)}} \approx {d\; 1 \times 0.41}}} & (1) \\ {{Zd} = {{{d\; 2 \times {\sin\left( {\alpha\; 2} \right)}} + {d\; 3 \times {\sin\left( {{\alpha\; 2} - {\alpha\; 3}} \right)}}} \approx {{d\; 2 \times 0.56} + {d\; 3 \times 0.24}}}} & (2) \end{matrix}$

From FIG. 4B, d1 can be expressed by the following equation (3).

$\begin{matrix} {{d\; 1} = {{{d\; 2 \times {\cos\left( {\alpha\; 3} \right)}} + {d\; 3}} \approx {{d\; 2 \times 0.94} + {d\; 3}}}} & (3) \end{matrix}$

Thus, Zc can be expressed by the following equation (4), so that the condition Zc>Zd can be satisfied by equation (5). Zc≈d2×0.39+d3×0.41  (4) 1>d2/d3  (5)

Accordingly, by making the length d2 shorter than the length d3, the shape of FIG. 3B can reduce unevenness of illumination as compared with the shape of FIG. 3A. Since the distance of travel of the tips of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B is not the only cause of unevenness of illumination, the condition of equation (5) should preferably be satisfied but it is not a necessity.

FIG. 7 shows the illumination distribution of light applied to the light valve 2 when the shape of FIG. 3B provides complete light blocking. In the case of complete light blocking, unevenness of illumination does not occur because light incident on the second lens array 4 b is uniformly superimposed and applied onto the generally whole (area 7 a) and around both x-direction end portions (areas 7 b) of the light valve 2. The area 7 a shows the illumination distribution of light applied from cells to the light valve 2 (area 30 in FIG. 3B) when the opening of the cells in the second lens array 4 b is approximately full open, and the areas 7 b show the illumination distribution of light applied from cells to the light valve 2 (areas 31 in FIG. 3B) when the opening of the cells in the second lens array 4 b is approximately half opened.

FIG. 8 shows the relationship between the turning angle and the relative percentage of the amount of light in the case where the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B with no bend have no cut. Simulation is conducted for every two degrees of the turning angle. It can be seen from the curve 80 that the rage of change in the relative percentage of the amount of light with respect to the turning angle is not continuous, and that the curve has four flat parts (8 a, 8 b, 8 c, and 8 d).

FIG. 9 shows light source images in the vicinity of the second lens array 4 b. FIG. 9 shows the images with 256 levels of gray scale. In FIG. 9, reference characters 91 to 94 designate a dark part between the light source images in the +y direction. The four flat parts 8 a, 8 b, 8 c, and 8 d in FIG. 8 correspond to the four dark parts 91, 92, 93, and 94 between the light source images in FIG. 9, which confirms that the dark parts between the light source images are the result of influence of the flat parts in FIG. 8. Thus, in order to provide a continuous change in the amount of light, it is necessary to simultaneously block light in both dark and light parts between the light source images. Since the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B with the cuts as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B allow a continuous change in the amount of light as shown in FIG. 5, simultaneous light blocking in both dark and light parts between the light source images is made possible by forming cuts in the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the shape of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B, in which the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B each have a single cut 9 g to have symmetry with respect to the optical axis C. When such a shape provides complete light blocking, an approximately uniform illumination distribution of light is given on the light valve 2.

FIG. 11 shows the relationship between the turning angle and the relative percentage of the amount of light in the case where the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B are in the shape of FIG. 10. In FIG. 10, the angles γT and γB of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B shall be 20 degrees. The curve 110 shows the simulation result for the turning mechanism 9 a in the shape of FIG. 10. The curve 80 shows the simulation result shown in FIG. 8 for the turning mechanism 9 a with no cut, for comparison of the effect between the presence and absence of the cuts 9 g. For ease of comparison, the curve 80 is shifted to overlap with the curve 110. It can be seen from FIG. 11 that even the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B with only one cut 9 g can provide more continuous light amount control than the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B with no cut. In other words, forming at least one cut 9 g in the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B is effective at achieving continuous light amount control. However, it can be seen from the curve 51 in FIG. 5 and the curve 110 in FIG. 11 that the light shielding plates 9T and 9B with two cuts produce a smoother change in the amount of light than those with only one cut. From this, it is more preferable to provide a plurality of cuts for smoother light amount control.

FIG. 12 shows the paths of light when the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B turn toward the first lens array 4 a at the time of light blocking, and especially shows the paths of light passing through the lens cell that is farthest in the +y direction in the first lens array 4 a. Although only the light shielding body 9T is described here, the same applies to the light shielding body 9B. Reference character 120 a designates the path of light passing through the +y side of the center of the lens cell; reference character 120 b designates the path of light passing through the center of the lens cell; and reference character 120 c designates the path of light passing through the −y side of the center of the lens cell. As shown in FIG. 12, when the light shielding body 9T is bent at a small angle or bent in a position that is far from the turning axis, unnecessary light reflected off the light shielding body 9T passes through the second lens array 4 b and, after multipath reflection inside a housing (not shown) of the illumination optical system 1, it may appear on a screen. From this, the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B turning toward the second lens array 4 b at the time of light blocking are more preferable than the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B that open and close in the direction as shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 13A shows the paths of light when the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B are smaller in x- and y-direction dimensions than the first lens array 4 a and the second lens array 4 b. FIG. 13B shows a comparison of the x- and y-direction dimensions between the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B and the second lens array 4 b, from which it can be seen that the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B have smaller x- and y-direction dimensions than the second lens array 4 b. Although only the light shielding body 9T is described here, the same applies to the light shielding body 9B. Reference character 130 a designates the path of light passing through the center of the lens cell that is the fifth one in the +y direction from the optical axis C in the first lens array 4 a; and reference character 130 b designates the path of light passing through the +x side of the center of the lens cell that is the second one in the +y direction and the third one in the +x direction from the optical axis C in the first lens array 4 a. It can be seen from FIG. 13A that light passing through those cells which are on the +y side of the turning axes of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B in the first lens array 4 a passes through the +y side without entering the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B. Thus, in order to control the amount of light emitted from the first lens array 4 a using the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B, the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B should preferably have larger x- and y-direction dimensions than the first lens array 4 a and the second lens array 4 b. In the case where the second lens array 4 b is larger in dimension than the first lens array 4 a, although it is preferable that the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B should have larger x- and y-direction dimensions than the second lens array 4 b, it is also possible to block unnecessary light passing through the second lens array 4 b by providing a light shielding plate between the second lens array 4 b and the polarization conversion element 5. From this, it can be said that the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B are not necessarily larger in x- and y-direction dimensions than the first lens array 4 a and the second lens array 4 b.

FIG. 14 shows the paths of light calculated by reverse ray tracing from the center of the light valve 2. Reference character 140 designates the paths of light; and reference character 141 designates the area where the paths of light indicated by 140 are concentrated. Since it can be seen from FIG. 14 that an image in the vicinity of the first lens array 4 a is formed on the light valve 2, the light valve 2 and the neighborhood of the light incident surface of the first lens array 4 a are in conjugation. Thus, when the tips of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B are in the vicinity of the area 141, the tips of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B are imaged onto the light valve 2, which undesirably causes linear unevenness of illumination in the x direction in the vicinity of the center on the light valve 2. Therefore, it is preferable that the tips of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B are brought close to the second lens array 4 b, i.e., the turning axes are in the vicinity of the second lens array 4 b.

Focusing on the tips of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B, since the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B bent into a V shape in a direction to reduce the amount of light (to block the light) are imaged with a narrower width in the y direction than the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B with no bend (cf. dy1 in FIG. 15B and dy2 in FIG. 16B), they can reduce unevenness of illumination on the light valve 2. Therefore, it can be said that unevenness of illumination on the light valve 2 can be reduced by bending the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B into a V shape in a direction to reduce the amount of light (to block the light).

FIGS. 15A and 15B and FIGS. 16A and 16B show the turning positions of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B in the shapes of FIGS. 3A and 3B when the tips of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B are imaged on the light valve 2. The condition that an image is formed on the light valve 2 is that the tips of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B are in the vicinity of the first lens array 4 a and in positions that are equivalent to the centers of the curvatures of the lens cells that are the second ones in the +y and −y directions from the optical axis C in the second lens array 4 b. Reference characters 150, 151, 160, and 161 designate the axis passing through the center of the curvature of the lens cell that is the second one in the +y or −y direction from the optical axis C in the second lens array 4 b; and reference characters 152 and 162 designate the tip of the light shielding body 9T.

Now we describe the reason why the tips of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B should be in the positions equivalent to the centers of the curvatures of the lens cells that are the second ones in the +y and −y directions from the optical axis C in the second lens array 4 b. First of all, in positions that are equivalent to the centers of the curvatures of the lens cells that are the first ones in the +y and −y directions from the optical axis C in the second lens array 4 b, it is difficult to check unevenness of illumination on the light valve 2 due to low illumination. In positions that are equivalent to the centers of the curvatures of the lens cells that are the third ones in the +y and −y directions from the optical axis in the second lens array 4 b, light with illumination uniformity is superimposed on the light valve 2 from the lens cells that are the first ones in the +y and −y directions from the optical axis C and from the lens cells that are the second ones in the +y and −y directions from the optical axis C, which relatively reduces unevenness of illumination on the light valve 2 and thus makes it difficult to check unevenness of illumination caused by the lens cells that are the third ones in the +y and −y directions from the optical axis C. Accordingly, as a condition that allows the easy checking of imaging of the tips of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B on the light valve 2, the tips of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B should be in the positions equivalent to the centers of the curvatures of the lens cells that are the second ones in the +y and −y directions from the optical axis C in the second lens array 4 b.

FIG. 17A shows the simulation result of the illumination distribution on the light valve 2 when the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B have not such a cut 9 g as shown in FIG. 3A and are in the condition of FIGS. 15A and 15B; and FIG. 17B shows the simulation result of the illumination distribution on the light valve 2 when the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B have no such a cut 9 g as shown in FIG. 3B and are in the condition of FIGS. 16A and 16B. In FIGS. 17A and 17B, reference characters 170 a and 170 b designate the area with low illumination; and reference characters 171 a and 171 b designate the y axis passing through the center of the light valve 2. The comparison of the areas 170 a and 170 b shows that the area 170 b has higher illumination uniformity than the area 170 a. This is because there is the inequality relation dy1>dy2 between the width dy1 of FIG. 15B and the width dy2 of FIG. 16B. Accordingly, unevenness of illumination on the light valve 2 can be reduced by bending the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B into a V shape in a direction to reduce the amount of light (to block the light). From this, it can be said that, without satisfying the aforementioned condition of equation (5), the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B with bends can reduce unevenness of illumination.

FIG. 18 shows the simulation result of the illumination distribution on the light valve 2 when the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B are in the shape of FIG. 3B and in the condition of FIGS. 16A and 16B. As shown in FIG. 18, there is little area with low illumination in the x direction from the center of the light valve 2. Reference character 180 designates the area with low illumination in y direction extending from the center of the light valve 2; and reference character 181 designates the y axis passing through the center of the light valve 2. Although there is only some slight unevenness of illumination in the area 180 because of the cuts 9 g in the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B forming the light gathering places in the second lens array 4 b, this is not a problem because the whole illumination distribution of the light valve 2 is approximately uniform. Accordingly, superimposition of the tips imaged on the light valve 2 can be reduced by bending the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B into a V shape in a direction to reduce the amount of light (to block the light); by forming at least one cut at the tips of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B; and further by reducing flat parts of those tips other than the cuts. This results in a considerable reduction of unevenness of illumination.

FIG. 19 shows the relative percentage of the amount of light in the y direction on the y axes 171 a, 171 b, and 181 shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B and FIG. 18, respectively. The horizontal axis corresponds to the vertical axis on the light valve 2 shown in FIG. 18. In FIG. 19, reference character 190 designates the relative percentage of the amount of light on the y axis 171 a; reference character 191 designates the relative percentage of the amount of light on the y axis 171 b; and reference character 192 designates the relative percentage of the amount of light on the y axis 181. Referring to FIG. 19, comparison of the values of the relative percentage of the amount of light at 0.50Y, which is the y-direction center of the light valve 2, yields the inequality 190<191<192 and shows that unevenness of illumination decreases in the order of 190, 191, and 192. This indicates that unevenness of illumination can be reduced by forming the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B with V-shaped bends in a direction to reduce the amount of light (to block the light) and with cuts at the tips.

While this preferred embodiment has described the case where γT=α2=α3 in FIG. 6B when the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B are in the position 41 b shown in FIG. 4B, the width dy2 in FIG. 16B can further be reduced in the case where α3>α2=γT, in which case unevenness of illumination can further be reduced than in the case of the shape of FIG. 4B. Further, while the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B each have only one bend, they may have two bends if the width dy2 in FIG. 16B can further be reduced. By so doing, unevenness of illumination can further be reduced. While the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B in FIG. 3B are bent in the vicinity of the lens cell that is the second one in the y direction from the optical axis C as a center in the second lens array 4 b, they may be bent in any position.

From the above description, it is clear that continuous light amount control without causing unevenness of illumination on the light valve 2 can be achieved by forming the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B in the turning mechanism 9 a with a V-shaped bend in a direction to reduce the amount of light (to block the light) and with at least one cut at their tips.

<Second Preferred Embodiment>

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of an illumination optical system 1 b in a projection display according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention. The second preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B in the turning mechanism 9 a have a sharp edged tip. The other parts of the configuration and the operation are identical to those described in the first preferred embodiment and thus not described here.

FIGS. 21A and 21B are the same drawings as FIGS. 15A and 15B; and FIGS. 22A and 22B are similar to FIGS. 15A and 15B in the positions of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B. Reference characters 210, 211, 220, and 221 designate the axis passing through the center of the curvature of a lens cell that is the second one in the +y or −y direction from the optical axis C in the second lens array 4 b. As shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B on the optical axis C side of the axis 220 have a sharp edged tip. By so doing, the widths of the tips are reduced by dy. The width t of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B is in general approximately 0.5 mm in consideration of the intensity of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B with respect to the turning of the turning mechanism 9 a. Reference characters 212 and 222 designate the tip of the light shielding body 9T.

FIG. 23A shows the simulation result of the illumination distribution on the light valve 2 when the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B have no such a cut 9 g as shown in FIG. 3A and are in the condition of FIGS. 21A and 21B; and FIG. 23B shows the simulation result of the illumination distribution on the light valve 2 when the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B have no such a cut 9 g as shown in FIG. 3A and are in the condition of FIGS. 22A and 22B. It is assumed that t=0.55 mm. In FIGS. 23A and 23B, reference characters 230 and 230 b designate the area with low illumination; and reference characters 231 a and 231 b designate the y axis passing through the center of the light valve 2. Comparison of the areas 230 a and 230 b shows that unevenness of illumination in the area 230 b is considerably improved. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, unevenness of illumination can considerably be reduced by sharply edging the tips of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B on the optical axis C side of the axes passing through the centers of the curvatures of the lens cells that are the second ones in the +y and −y directions from the optical axis C in the second lens array 4 b.

FIG. 24 shows the relative percentage of the amount of light in the y direction on the y axes 231 a and 231 b shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B, respectively. In FIG. 24, reference character 240 designates the relative percentage of the amount of light on the y axis 231 a; and reference character 241 designates the relative percentage of the amount of light on the y axis 231 b. Referring to FIG. 24, comparison of the values of the relative percentage of the amount of light at 0.50Y, which is the y-direction center of the light valve 2, shows that the relative percentage indicated by 241 is higher than the relative percentage indicated by 240, i.e., unevenness of illumination is considerably reduced. This indicates that unevenness of illumination can considerably be reduced by sharply edging the tips of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B on the optical axis C side of the axes passing through the centers of the curvatures of the lens cells that are the second ones in the +y and −y directions from the optical axis C in the second lens array 4 b.

FIGS. 25A and 25B shows the shape of the tips of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B. Reference characters 250 and 251 designate the axis passing through the center of the curvature of a lens cell that are the second one in the +y or −y direction from the optical axis C in the second lens array 4 b. It can be seen from FIGS. 25A and 25B that the angles at the tips of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B should preferably be smaller than β.

From the above description, it is clear that continuous light amount control without causing unevenness of illumination on the light valve 2 can be achieved by forming at least one cut at the tips of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B and further by sharply edging the tips of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B.

<Third Preferred Embodiment>

FIG. 26 is a block diagram of an illumination optical system 1 c in a projection display according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention. The third preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B with small opening areas at their tips can achieve sufficiently high contrast without causing unevenness of illumination on the light valve 2. The other parts of the configuration and the operation are identical to those described in the first preferred embodiment and thus not described here.

Light 270 emitted from the second lens array 4 b is incident on the light valve 2 at a great incident angle. At this time, since the contrast decreases with increasing incident angle of light on the light valve 2 due to the property of light valves (see FIG. 29), the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B should preferably be configured to block light incident at great incident angles on the light valve 2, i.e., to block incident light in the x direction.

FIG. 28A shows an example of the xy plane of the second lens array 4 b and the polarization conversion element 5, in which the right hand part (a) shows a front view and the left hand part (b) shows a side view. FIG. 28B shows a detailed representation of FIG. 2. Also, FIG. 28B shows the paths of light incident on the second lens array 4 b. The dotted line part shows the polarization conversion element 5, and the hatched parts show the λ/2 phase-difference plates 5 c. In general, polarization conversion is performed with efficiency by concentrating light only in the areas of the λ/2 phase-difference plates 5 c. Thus, light beams 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, and 275 are polarization-converted light beams. Referring to FIG. 28B, out of linearly p- and s-polarized incident light, p-polarized light incident on the polarization conversion element 5 is converted into s-polarized light by the λ/2 phase-difference plates 5 c and is thus emitted from the x-direction position of the polarization conversion element 5 that is equivalent to the position of incidence; however, it is emitted to the position that is a distance dx (the distance between 275 a and 275 b) away from the optical axis C as compared with s-polarized light. Therefore, blocking the incident light on the x-direction side of the optical axis C becomes essential to the improvement in contrast. That is, the light beams 270 and 275 have an influence on the contrast. In other words, the application of light beams to positions that are close to the optical axis C in the x direction is the condition for improvement in contrast.

FIG. 30 shows the shapes of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B. The light shielding bodies 9T and 9B have two cuts 9 g and 9 h with different areas at their tips. The cuts 9 g have a smaller opening area than the cuts 9 h. The cuts 9 g and 9 h are formed in the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B to have point symmetry with respect to a point on the optical axis C when the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B are closed.

FIG. 31 numerically shows the amount of light passing through each cell in the second lens array 4 b, which amount is calculated by simulation. The shapes of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B as shown in FIG. 30 can reduce a difference in contrast in the x direction. FIG. 31 representatively shows the upper right quadrant of the second lens array 4 b since the second lens array 4 b shows a symmetry both between upper and lower halves and between right and left halves.

FIG. 32 shows the simulation result for the case where light emitted from the light source 3 a is reflected off the reflecting mirror 3 b. The reflecting mirror 3 b shall be in the shape of an ellipse, and light emitted from the light source system 3 shall be made parallel by a concave lens 310. In general, there is a valve of the light source in the vicinity of the optical axis C, and reference character 311 designates an opening of such a valve.

Since the opening 311 is in such a shape as shown in FIG. 311, the cell that is in the fourth column V1 and the fifth row H1 (V1H1) of the second lens array 4 b shown in FIG. 31 receives only a small amount of light emitted from the light source system 3. When the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B in the shape of FIG. 30 provide complete light blocking, the cuts 9 g irradiate both end portions of the light valve 2 in the x direction, and the cuts 9 h irradiate a central portion of the light valve 2. Therefore, a uniform illumination distribution can be obtained by equalizing and superimposing the relative amounts of light applied to the both end portions in the x direction and the central portion of the light valve 2. For example when the cuts 9 g and 9 h are of the same shape, as shown in FIG. 33, unevenness of illumination occurs due to low illumination in the central portion of the light valve 2. From this, the cuts 9 h need to have a larger opening area than the cuts 9 g. Referring to FIG. 33, light emitted from the cuts 9 g irradiate an area 32 b on the light valve 2, and light emitted from the cuts 9 h irradiate an area 32 a on the light valve 2.

FIG. 34 shows the shapes of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B that are determined in consideration of contrast. A cut 9 i is formed in the cell (V1H1) to form a right-angled triangular opening, so that a uniform illumination distribution is provided on the light valve 2. However, FIG. 31 shows that only a small amount of light passes through the cell (V1H1). Thus in the case where a 100 percent video signal is displayed on the screen, the contrast of an image projected on the screen is unsatisfactory due to a small amount of light.

From the above, generally, in order to prevent the occurrence of unevenness of illumination on the light valve 2, approximately eight cells are necessary as an opening. However, by consideration of the shape and the relative percentage of the amount of light incident on the opening, illumination uniformity on the light valve 2 can be achieved with approximately four cells. Specifically, the vertex of each of the cuts 9 h with a larger opening area in the x direction is made to be equivalent to the x-direction center of the cell (in the fourth column V1 and the fifth row H1) that is closest to the optical axis C, and the vertex of each of the cuts 9 g with a smaller opening area is made to be equivalent to a junction between the cell (in the fourth column V1 and the fifth row H1) that is closest to the optical axis C and the adjacent cell (in the fifth column V2 and the fifth row H1) on the opposite side of the optical axis C. By so doing, improvement in contrast can be achieved with approximately four cells, without causing unevenness of illumination on the light valve 2.

FIG. 35 shows the relationship between the turning angle and the relative percentage of the amount of light in the case where the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B are in the shape of FIG. 30. The curve 331 shows the simulation result for the turning mechanism 9 a with the shape of FIG. 30; and the curve 330 shows the simulation result of FIG. 8 for the turning mechanism 9 a with no cut. For ease of comparison, the curve 330 is shifted to overlap with the curve 331. It can be seen from FIG. 35 that the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B in the shape as shown in FIG. 30 allows almost continuous light amount control on the light valve 2 with respect to the turning angle. Accordingly, it can be said that the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B with the tips as shown in FIG. 30 can achieve continuous light amount control without causing unevenness of illumination on the light valve 2, thereby improving the contrast.

While this preferred embodiment illustrates an example of the cuts in the shape of an ellipse, the same effect can be achieved with cuts in the shape of a triangle as long as the same consideration as described in this preferred embodiment is given on the opening area and the positions of the vertices.

FIG. 36 shows the shapes of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B. The light shielding bodies 9T and 9B have triangular cuts formed at their tips. The shape of FIG. 36 allows fine light amount control when the relative percentage of the amount of light is 30% or smaller. Providing the cuts 9 g on both sides of the second lens array in the x direction allows fine control of a portion with a low relative percentage of the amount of light. Although only a small number of cells in the second lens array 4 b are used for complete light blocking, the triangular shape as shown in FIG. 36 provides a uniform illumination distribution on the light valve 2 by superimposition of irradiated areas, thereby preventing the occurrence of unevenness of illumination.

FIG. 37 shows the relationship between the turning angle and the relative percentage of the amount of light in the case where the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B are in the shape of FIG. 36. The curve 351 shows the simulation result for the turning mechanism 9 a in the shape of FIG. 36, and the curve 350 shows the simulation result for the turning mechanism in the shape shown in FIG. 38. For ease of comparison, the curve 350 is shifted to overlap with the curve 351. It can be seen from FIG. 37 that, in the case of the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B of the shape of FIG. 36, the curve has a gentle inclination around the range between 10% and 30%. The reason of such a gentle curve is that, in the case of a small turning angle of the turning mechanism 9 a, light blocking in the lens cell in the fourth column V1 and the fifth row H1 shown in FIG. 31 reduces the rate of change of illumination. In the range with a low relative percentage of the amount of light, namely between 10% and 30%, the sensitivity of human eyes to the change in the relative percentage of the amount of light is especially high, so that fine light amount control using the turning mechanism 9 a becomes important. The shape as shown in FIG. 36 allows fine light amount control when the relative percentage of the amount of light is 30% or smaller.

From the above description, the light shielding bodies 9T and 9B with the shape as shown in FIG. 36 allow fine light amount control with a low relative percentage of the amount of light.

While the invention has been shown and described in detail, the foregoing description is in all aspects illustrative and not restrictive. It is therefore understood that numerous modifications and variations can be devised without departing from the scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A projection display comprising: a light valve; a light source generating light applied to said light valve; an integrator lens provided on an optical path between said light source and said light valve and making uniform an illumination distribution of light applied from said light source to said light valve; and a light-amount control mechanism provided on said optical path and including a pair of light shielding bodies that turn like a double door in order to adjust the amount of light applied from said light source to said light valve, said light shielding bodies each having two cuts at their tips, wherein, for each light shielding body, said two cuts have different areas, respectively, and are formed in said light shielding bodies to have point symmetry with the corresponding two cuts in the other light shielding body with respect to a point on an optical axis when said light shielding bodies are closed, wherein, for each light shielding body, one of the two cuts is closer to the optical axis than the other, and the one of the two cuts closer to the optical axis has a larger area than the other, wherein, for each of the light shielding bodies, each of said two cuts is formed in the shape of a parabola or a semi-ellipse without forming an elliptical shape with either of the two cuts in the other light shielding body when the light shielding bodies are closed.
 2. The projection display according to claim 1, wherein in an xyz coordinate system where the z axis is a direction of said optical axis, the x axis is a lateral direction orthogonal to said z axis, and the y axis is a vertical direction orthogonal to said z axis and said x axis, said two cuts with different areas are such that: one of said two cuts which has a larger opening area has a vertex that is on the y-axis direction side of the center of a lens cell that is closest to said optical axis in the x-axis direction in said second lens array, and the other of said two cuts which has a smaller opening area has a vertex that is on the y-axis direction side of a junction between said lens cell and another lens cell that is on the x axis and on the side of said lens cell opposite said optical axis.
 3. A projection display comprising: a light valve; a light source generating light applied to said light valve; an integrator lens provided on an optical path between said light source and said light valve and making uniform an illumination distribution of light applied from said light source to said light valve; and a light-amount control mechanism provided on said optical path and including a pair of light shielding bodies that turn like a double door in order to adjust the amount of light applied from said light source to said light valve, said light shielding bodies having a cut with a curved line at their tips, said cut including two cuts that have different areas and are formed in said light shielding bodies so as to have point symmetry with respect to a point on an optical axis when said light shielding bodies are closed, wherein, for each light shielding body, one of the two cuts is closer to the optical axis than the other, and the one of the two cuts closer to the optical axis has a larger area than the other, wherein, for each of the light shielding bodies, each of said two cuts is formed in the shape of a parabola or a semi-ellipse without forming an elliptical shape with either of the two cuts in the other light shielding body when the light shielding bodies are closed, and said two cuts are formed so that the amount of light applied from said light source to said light valve is continuously increased as the turning angle of the light shielding bodies becomes greater. 